Top CME Conferences to Attend in 2026

Continuing medical education is not optional — it is a licence requirement. Physicians, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, pharmacists, and most licensed healthcare professionals must earn a set number of accredited CME or CE credits every one to three years to maintain their licence and board certification.

But not all CME conferences are equal. Some offer 12 credits in a morning. Others deliver 50+ credits across a week. Some combine pharmacology CE with clinical updates. Others focus on a single specialty. This guide covers the top CME conferences to attend in 2026, with verified dates, credit hours, accreditation, and what each event does best.

For nurse practitioner-specific events, see our top nurse practitioner conferences in 2026 guide. For psychiatry and mental health CME, see our top psychiatry conferences in 2026 guide.

What is a CME conference — and who needs it?

CME (Continuing Medical Education) refers to any accredited educational activity that helps healthcare professionals maintain and develop their clinical knowledge and skills. CE (Continuing Education) is the equivalent term for nurses and nurse practitioners. NCPD (Nursing Continuing Professional Development) is the updated ANCC terminology.

In the USA, most state medical boards require physicians to earn 20–50 AMA PRA Category 1 CME credits per year or per renewal cycle. NPs must earn ANCC-approved CE credits for APRN recertification. PAs must earn AAPA Category 1 credits. Many states also require a specific number of pharmacology, ethics, or DEA credits within the total.

CME conferences offer the fastest way to earn a large number of accredited credits in a short time — often combining live educational sessions with hands-on workshops, pharmacology updates, and networking in a single event.

Why attend a CME conference rather than doing online modules?

Online CME modules are convenient, but they have real limitations — passive learning, no live Q&A, no peer discussion, and no hands-on practice. CME conferences offer something online modules cannot.

Here is what you gain at a live or hybrid CME conference:

• Live, interactive learning with faculty Q&A and case discussions that deepen retention.
• Pharmacology CE contact hours — often required separately and harder to find in online modules.
• Hands-on workshops in procedures, EKG interpretation, suturing, airway management, and simulation.
• Networking with peers, faculty, and industry — referrals and collaborations that begin at conferences.
• Legislative and scope-of-practice updates relevant to your state and specialty.
• Abstract presentation and publication opportunities for clinician-researchers. Read our guide on how to write a conference abstract before you submit.

Top CME conferences in 2026

1. ★ PubScholars Nurse Practitioner Conference 2026 (San Diego, USA)

Date: October 17–18, 2026

Location: Porto Vista Hotel, 1835 Columbia St, San Diego, CA 92101, United States

Theme: “Global Nursing Horizons: Empowering Education and Leadership Through AI & Innovation”

The PubScholars Nurse Practitioner Conference 2026 is the standout CME event on this list for NPs who want to combine accredited CEU credits with abstract presentation and international publication — a combination no other event on this list offers in the same package. The conference covers advanced clinical decision-making, pharmacology updates for NPs, AI and digital health tools, primary care and acute care management, mental health care in NP practice, women’s health and reproductive care, paediatric NP care, geriatric care, cardiovascular management, and chronic disease management.

Up to 12 ANCC-eligible CEU credits are available for both in-person San Diego attendees and virtual participants worldwide. Abstract submissions are reviewed by an international scientific committee with members from the USA, Portugal, and China. Accepted papers are published in official conference proceedings.

Confirmed 2026 speakers include Amanda F. Freedman (WakeMed Health & Hospitals USA), Dr. Rami Nadji (INSERM France), and Deborah A. McDaniels-Jolly (Kaiser Permanente San Diego). Scientific committee: Susan L. Hutchinson (California), Leonard A. Hess (North Carolina), Maria Helena Pimentel (Portugal), Tingzhong Yang (China).

Who should attend: Nurse practitioners across all specialties, APRNs, clinical nurse specialists, NP researchers, and postgraduate nursing students presenting original clinical or research work

CEUs / Credits: Up to 12 ANCC-eligible CEU credits for in-person and virtual attendees

Abstract submission: nursepractitionerconferences.pubscholars.org/submit-abstract/

Registration: nursepractitionerconferences.pubscholars.org/conference-registration/

Website: nursepractitionerconferences.pubscholars.org

2. AANP National Conference 2026 — Las Vegas, Nevada, USA

Date: June 23–27, 2026

Location: The Venetian Resort, 3355 S Las Vegas Blvd, Las Vegas, NV 89109, USA

CE Hours: Approximately 32 in-person contact hours | 75+ on-demand hours (Jul 7–Aug 25)

The 2026 AANP National Conference is the largest CME conference for nurse practitioners in the United States, attracting NPs from all specialties for five days of continuing education at The Venetian Resort in Las Vegas. The conference represents 461,000 NPs through the American Association of Nurse Practitioners and offers more than 330 expert faculty sessions, on-demand courses, and hands-on workshops.

The programme is pending AANP approval for approximately 32 CE contact hours in-person (Tuesday through Saturday), including pharmacology credit hours. In-person registrants also receive on-demand access at no extra charge from July 7 to August 25 — adding approximately 75 additional contact hours. The 2026 opening keynote is internationally renowned speaker and communication strategist Victoria Labalme presenting Rock the Room®.

Who should attend: Nurse practitioners of all specialties, NP students in final year, and all advanced practice registered nurses seeking comprehensive annual CE

Accreditation: AANP — pharmacology and CE contact hours pending approval

Website: aanp.org/events/2026-aanp-national-conference

3. APA Annual Meeting 2026 — 178th Edition (San Francisco, USA)

Date: May 16–20, 2026

Location: Moscone Center, San Francisco, California, USA (In-person and virtual)

CE Hours: AMA PRA Category 1 CME Credits™ across 400+ sessions and 50 topics

The 178th APA Annual Meeting is the largest psychiatry CME conference in the world. The 2026 San Francisco edition offers 400+ sessions across 8 tracks, covering mood and anxiety disorders, psychopharmacology, trauma, LGBTQ+ psychiatry, community mental health, and AI in psychiatric practice. Both in-person and virtual attendance are available.

For physicians, NPs, and mental health clinicians who want the most comprehensive psychiatry CME programme available in a single event, the APA Annual Meeting is unmatched in breadth and quality. The theme is “Empowering the Psychiatric Workforce: Taking Control of Our Practices One Step at a Time.”

Who should attend: Psychiatrists, psychiatric NPs and PAs, psychologists, primary care clinicians managing psychiatric conditions, and mental health researchers at all career stages

Accreditation: AMA PRA Category 1 CME Credits™ — accepted by ABPN and most state boards

Website: psychiatry.org/psychiatrists/meetings/annual-meeting

4. AAFP Family Medicine Experience (FMX) 2026 — Las Vegas, Nevada, USA

Date: September 30 – October 3, 2026

Location: Las Vegas, Nevada, USA

CE Hours: 30+ AAFP Prescribed Credits (equivalent to AMA PRA Category 1 CME)

The AAFP Family Medicine Experience (FMX) is the largest family medicine CME conference in the United States, held annually by the American Academy of Family Physicians. FMX 2026 in Las Vegas delivers 30+ AAFP Prescribed Credits across four days of plenary sessions, breakout workshops, small group learning, and hands-on skills labs designed specifically for primary care clinicians.

AAFP Prescribed Credit is accepted as equivalent to AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™ and is accepted by the American Board of Family Medicine (ABFM), the American Board of Emergency Medicine (ABEM), and many other boards for MOC requirements. For family medicine physicians and primary care NPs and PAs, FMX is the single best annual CME event.

Who should attend: Family medicine physicians, primary care NPs and PAs, and all clinicians who need AAFP or AMA PRA Category 1 credits for primary care practice

Accreditation: AAFP Prescribed Credit — equivalent to AMA PRA Category 1 CME™

Website: aafp.org/family-medicine-continues/FMX.html

5. CEC CME Conferences 2026 — Multiple USA Destinations (Year-Round)

Upcoming dates: Nashville, TN — Sep 16–19, 2026 (16 credits) | Hawks Cay, FL — Nov 2–6 & Nov 9–13, 2026 (20 credits each) | Hawaii — Dec 7–11, 2026 (20 credits)

Format: In-person + hybrid livestream | 20+ credits per event | 30-day recording access

The Continuing Education Company (CEC) CME conferences run throughout 2026 at resorts, cruise ships, and destination hotels across the USA. Each conference offers 20 AMA PRA Category 1 credits for in-person attendees, plus a free 15-credit online CME course from CME365™. A livestream option is available for every event, earning the same live CME credits without travel.

The CEC conferences cover primary care, family medicine, internal medicine, and chronic disease management with zero commercial bias — no pharmaceutical company funding of individual sessions. Remaining 2026 dates include Nashville (Sep 16–19), Hawks Cay Florida Keys (Nov 2–6 and Nov 9–13), and Big Island Hawaii (Dec 7–11).

Who should attend: Primary care physicians, family medicine clinicians, internal medicine specialists, NPs and PAs in primary and acute care settings needing AMA PRA Category 1 credits

Accreditation: AMA PRA Category 1 CME Credits™ — accepted by most state boards and certifying bodies

Website: cmemeeting.org/cme-conferences

6. Columbia University Internal Medicine Update 2026 — Virtual

Date: June 8–12, 2026

Location: Virtual — online from anywhere

CE Hours: 50.75 ACCME, ANCC, AAPA & International EACCME Credits

The Columbia University Internal Medicine 2026: 32nd Annual Update & Intensive Review is the highest-credit single CME event on this list, delivering 50.75 accredited credits across five virtual days. Produced by Columbia University’s Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, this flagship internal medicine CME course delivers cutting-edge updates across all major internal medicine subspecialties, with expert-led sessions designed for board preparation or recertification.

Topics covered include cardiology, endocrinology, pulmonology, rheumatology, oncology, neurology, gastroenterology, and infectious disease. Credits are accredited by ACCME, ANCC, and AAPA, and internationally recognised through the European EACCME programme. For clinicians who need a large credit block in a short window, this is the most efficient CME event of 2026.

Who should attend: Internal medicine physicians, hospitalists, NPs and PAs in hospital and acute care settings, and clinicians seeking comprehensive multi-specialty CME in a virtual format

Accreditation: 50.75 ACCME (AMA PRA Cat 1) | ANCC | AAPA | International EACCME credits

Website: vagelos.columbia.edu — Internal Medicine CME 2026

7. Mayo Clinic CME Conferences 2026 — USA and Virtual

Date: Year-round — multiple formats and specialties

Location: Minnesota, Arizona, Florida, Hawaii and virtual

CE Hours: Varies by course — typically 12–26 AMA PRA Category 1 CME credits per event

The Mayo Clinic CME programme is one of the most respected continuing education brands in medicine. In 2026, Mayo Clinic offers dozens of CME events covering internal medicine, psychiatry, primary care, surgery, and specialty medicine across its campuses and virtually. The Psychiatry for Primary Care course (Big Island, Hawaii) offers up to 26.25 AMA PRA Category 1 CME credits in a focused clinical format.

For clinicians who value institutional reputation and evidence-based, zero-commercial-bias CME, Mayo Clinic’s conference programme is consistently among the highest-rated in the USA. Virtual and hybrid options are available for most events.

Who should attend: Physicians, NPs, and PAs across all specialties seeking high-reputation CME with the Mayo Clinic institutional endorsement

Accreditation: AMA PRA Category 1 CME Credits™ | ANCC nursing contact hours on selected courses

Website: ce.mayo.edu

8. CME Travel Academy Conferences 2026 — New York City and Las Vegas

Upcoming dates: New York City — October 12–13, 2026 | Las Vegas (Caesars Palace) — December 18–19, 2026

CE Hours: 12 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™ including 1 hour Ethics CME | Livestream option available

The CME Travel Academy 2026 conferences offer physician-led, zero-commercial-bias CME in a focused two-morning format at premium destinations. The remaining 2026 conferences are in New York City (Oct 12–13) and Las Vegas at Caesars Palace (Dec 18–19). Each conference offers 12 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™ including 1 Ethics CME hour, accredited by AAFP and accepted by AMA, AOA, ANCC, AANP, AAPA, and more.

Morning sessions run only — afternoons are free. A CME Live: Your Location virtual option earns the same credits from any location. One-page clinical summaries for every topic are included, ready to use at the bedside from day one.

Who should attend: Physicians, NPs, PAs, and all clinicians seeking compact, high-yield CME at a destination without a full week commitment

Accreditation: AMA PRA Category 1 CME™ | AAFP Prescribed | AOA | ANCC | AANP | AAPA | MOC-eligible

Website: cmetravelacademy.com/conferences/

9. ACEP Scientific Assembly 2026 — American College of Emergency Physicians

Date: October 2026 — confirm exact dates on acep.org

Location: USA — confirm venue on acep.org

CE Hours: 30+ AMA PRA Category 1 CME Credits™

The ACEP Scientific Assembly is the largest emergency medicine conference and CME event in the USA, organised annually by the American College of Emergency Physicians. It offers 30+ AMA PRA Category 1 CME credits across hundreds of sessions covering emergency clinical management, procedures, toxicology, paediatric emergency, critical care, and the latest updates in emergency medicine practice.

For emergency physicians, emergency NPs and PAs, and critical care clinicians, ACEP Scientific Assembly is the most comprehensive annual CME event available in the specialty. Pre-conference workshops offer hands-on skills training in intubation, ultrasound, and procedural sedation.

Who should attend: Emergency physicians, emergency NPs and PAs, critical care clinicians, and trainees in emergency medicine seeking comprehensive specialty CME

Accreditation: AMA PRA Category 1 CME Credits™

Website: acep.org/master-calendar/scientific-assembly/

10. UCSF CME Conferences 2026 — San Francisco and Virtual

Date: Year-round — multiple specialties throughout 2026

Location: San Francisco, California, USA and virtual

CE Hours: Varies by course — typically 8–20 AMA PRA Category 1 CME credits per event

The UCSF CME programme is one of the most comprehensive multi-specialty continuing education programmes in the USA, offered by one of the world’s leading academic medical centres. 2026 UCSF CME events include the Addiction Medicine Conference (Apr 23–24), Annual Sports Medicine Conference (Dec 3–6), Advances in Heart Disease 43rd Annual (Dec 4–6), Controversies in Women’s Health (Dec 10–11), and the Annual Recent Advances in Neurology (Feb 2027).

Most UCSF CME courses are available both on-site in San Francisco and via livestream. For clinicians based on the West Coast or seeking UCSF institutional CME, this is the most accessible high-quality programme available.

Who should attend: Physicians, NPs, and PAs across multiple specialties — particularly those in addiction medicine, sports medicine, cardiology, women’s health, and neurology

Accreditation: AMA PRA Category 1 CME Credits™ — on-site and livestream

Website: meded.ucsf.edu/cme/upcoming-ce-courses

Quick comparison: CME conferences 2026 at a glance

Use this table to find the best match for your specialty, CE hours needed, and timeline.

Conference	Hybrid	CE Hours	Pharma CE	USA	Date
PubScholars NP Conference 2026 ★	Hybrid	Up to 20	✓	✓	Oct 17–18
AANP National Conference 2026	Hybrid	32+ in-person	✓	✓	Jun 23–27
APA Annual Meeting 2026	Hybrid	Extensive	✓	✓	May 16–20
AAFP FMX 2026	In-person	30+	✓	✓	Sep 30–Oct 3
CEC CME Conferences	Hybrid	20+	Limited	✓	Year-round
Columbia IM Update 2026	Virtual	50.75	Limited	✓	Jun 8–12
ACEP Scientific Assembly	In-person	30+	✓	✓	Oct 2026

 

How to choose the right CME conference for your needs

If you need the most CE credits in a single event

The Columbia University Internal Medicine Update (Jun 8–12, virtual) delivers 50.75 ACCME/ANCC/AAPA credits — the highest single-event total on this list. The AANP National Conference (Jun 23–27, Las Vegas) offers 32 in-person hours plus 75 on-demand hours through August.

If you want to present research and earn CEUs

The PubScholars Nurse Practitioner Conference 2026 (Oct 17–18, San Diego) is the only event on this list that combines abstract submission, international peer review, publication in conference proceedings, AND up to 12 ANCC-eligible CEU credits in a hybrid format. Submit at nursepractitionerconferences.pubscholars.org/submit-abstract/.

If you are a nurse practitioner

The AANP National Conference (Jun 23–27, Las Vegas) is the largest NP event with 32+ CE hours and pharmacology credit. The PubScholars NP Conference 2026 (Oct 17–18, San Diego) is the best option if you also want international publication credit alongside your CEUs.

If you want psychiatry or mental health CME

The APA Annual Meeting 2026 (May 16–20, San Francisco, already held) is the largest psychiatry CME event in the world. For upcoming psychiatry CME, see our guide to the top psychiatry conferences in 2026.

If you need flexible or destination-based CME

CEC conferences (Nashville Sep, Florida Nov, Hawaii Dec) and CME Travel Academy (NYC Oct 12–13, Las Vegas Dec 18–19) both offer morning-only sessions at resort and city destinations with afternoon free time. All CEC events include a free 15-credit online course.

If you want institutional reputation and zero commercial bias

The Mayo Clinic CME programme and the UCSF CME programme are consistently the highest-rated institutional CME providers in the USA. Both offer virtual options alongside on-site events.

Related PubScholars guides

These PubScholars resources will help you prepare:

• How to write a conference abstract — structure, format, and template for clinical and research presentations
• Top nurse practitioner conferences in 2026 — AANP, NPAC, NAPNAP, NONPF, and all major NP events
• Top psychiatry conferences in 2026 — APA, WCP, Psych Congress, EPA, and psychiatry CME events
• Top behavioral health conferences in 2026 — NatCon, BHT, ADAA, and behavioral health CME
• Top neuroscience conferences in 2026 — broader neurology and clinical neuroscience events
• Guide to USA conference visa requirements — for international attendees travelling to San Diego, Las Vegas, or San Francisco

Frequently asked questions — CME conferences 2026

What is the biggest CME conference in 2026?

The AANP National Conference 2026 (June 23–27, The Venetian Resort, Las Vegas) is the largest CME conference for nurse practitioners in the USA, with 330+ sessions and approximately 32 CE contact hours in-person plus 75 on-demand hours. The APA Annual Meeting 2026 (May 16–20, Moscone Center, San Francisco) is the largest CME event for psychiatrists, with 400+ sessions across 50 topics.

Is there a hybrid CME conference in 2026?

Yes. The PubScholars Nurse Practitioner Conference 2026 (October 17–18, Porto Vista Hotel, San Diego) is a hybrid CME event offering up to 20 ANCC-eligible CEU credits for both in-person and virtual attendees. Register at nursepractitionerconferences.pubscholars.org.

Which CME conference offers the most credits in 2026?

The Columbia University Internal Medicine Update (June 8–12, virtual) offers 50.75 ACCME, ANCC, AAPA, and International EACCME credits — the highest single-event credit count on this list. The AANP National Conference (Las Vegas, June 23–27) offers 32 in-person hours plus 75 on-demand hours through August 25.

What CME conferences are available for nurse practitioners in 2026?

NPs have several strong 2026 options: PubScholars NP Conference (Oct 17–18, San Diego, up to 20 CEUs, hybrid), AANP National Conference (Jun 23–27, Las Vegas, 32+ CE hours), CEC CME conferences (year-round, 20+ credits), and CME Travel Academy (NYC Oct 12–13, Las Vegas Dec 18–19, 12 AMA PRA Category 1 credits each).

What does CME stand for and who needs it?

CME stands for Continuing Medical Education. It refers to accredited educational activities that help healthcare professionals maintain and develop their clinical knowledge and skills. CME is required for licence renewal by physicians, NPs, PAs, and other clinicians in most US states and many countries. CE (Continuing Education) and NCPD (Nursing Continuing Professional Development) are the equivalent terms for nurses and NPs.

Can I earn CME credits online in 2026?

Yes. The Columbia University Internal Medicine Update is fully virtual (50.75 credits, Jun 8–12). CEC conferences offer livestreams for all in-person events. CME Travel Academy offers CME Live: Your Location for all 2026 dates. The PubScholars NP Conference (San Diego, Oct 17–18) offers full virtual attendance with the same 20 CEU credits as in-person.

Register for the PubScholars Nurse Practitioner Conference 2026

CME conferences in 2026 range from 12 credits in a morning in Las Vegas to 50+ credits in a virtual week from Columbia. The right event depends on your specialty, your credit requirements, and whether you want to just attend or also present and publish your clinical work.

If you are an NP or advanced practice clinician looking for a hybrid event with up to 20 ANCC-eligible CEUs, abstract submission, and international publication in San Diego in October 2026, the PubScholars Nurse Practitioner Conference 2026 is the most complete option remaining.

Website: nursepractitionerconferences.pubscholars.org

Abstract submission: nursepractitionerconferences.pubscholars.org/submit-abstract/

Registration: nursepractitionerconferences.pubscholars.org/conference-registration/

Email: info@pubscholars.org

Phone / WhatsApp: +91 7042134266